Weight lifting type exercising device

ABSTRACT

An exercising device for lifting weights with a cable that is supported by and guided over an upright frame. A vertically movable carriage engages an upright post of the frame, means for guiding the cable to position its free end at different elevations above ground, and a locking pin mounted to the carriage for horizontal axial movement of the pin into engagement with any one of a plurality of vertically spaced apertures in the vertical post. Means are provided for biasing the pin into an aperture-engaging position, for withdrawing it therefrom, and for locking it in its aperture-engaging position. The carriage includes apertured ears for positioning an upwardly extending balanced bar resting on the ground. The end of the cable remote from the carriage has a weight-connecting member that extends through central apertures in a plurality of vertically spaced weight plates that include vertically arranged, radially outwardly extending cutouts and suitable undercuts so that an angular displacement of the member about its axis through 90* engages a protrusion projecting from the member with one of the weight plates for movement of the weight plate, together with the plates above it, with the cable. Means are provided for locking the weight connecting member in its weight plate engaging position. The member includes markings indicating the weight connected thereto. The cable is guided through and engaged by an indicating mechanism which signals the number of times the cable and the weights suspended therefrom have been lifted.

United States Patent La Lanne Mar. 7, 1972 [54] WEIGHT LIFTING TYPEEXERCISING Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham DEVICE AssistantExaminer-William R. Browne Attorney-Townsend & Townsend [72] Inventor:Jack La Lame, 5224 Santa Monica Blvd.,

Hollywood, Calif. 90029 57 ABSTRACT Filed: 1 9 An exercising device forlifting weights with a cable that is [21] APPL No; 37,553 supported byand guided over an upright frame. A vertically movable carriage engagesan upright post of the frame, means for guiding the cable to positionits free end at different eleva- [52] US. Cl. ..272/58, 73/379 R,272/DlG. 5, tions above ground, and a locking pin mounted to thecarriage 272/DIG. 4, 287/92, 248/221, 272/81, 235/93 for horizontalaxial movement of the pin into engagement with [51] Int. Cl ..A63b21/06, A63b 21/00 any one of a plurality of vertically spaced aperturesin the ver- [58] Field of Search ..272/57, 7 l 72, 80, 81, DIG. 5, ticalpost. Means are provided for biasing the pin into an aper- 272/69, 74,75; 235/132, 93, 1.3; 116/73; 273/86 B, ture-engaging position, forwithdrawing it therefrom, and for 96; 287/58 CT, 58 R; 248/408, 409;73/370 R, 380 locking it in its aperture-engaging position. The carriagein- R, 381 cludes apertured ears for positioning an upwardly extendingbalanced bar resting on the ground. The end of the cable [56] ReferencesCited remote from the carriage has a weight-connecting member thatextends through central apertures in a plurality of verti- UNITED STATESPATENTS cally spaced weight plates that include vertically arranged,363,599 5/1887 Coop ..272/s1 radially utwardl extending and suiableReach.- 272/ that an angular displacement Of the member about its axis1,237,588 8/1917 Vaughn znlma 5 through-90 engages a protrusionprojecting from the member 1,491,685 4/1924 Eicheret al ..248/408 Withthe weigh Plates mmmem weigh 3,097,550 47/1963 Johnston 287/58 R Xplate, together with the plates above it, with the cable. Means3,127,867 4/1964 Bochan n 0 A 16/73 X are provided for locking theweight connecting member in its 3 419 269 12/1968 Satfer ..272/74 weightPlate elgaging The membe' dudes 3438627 4,1969 La Lame 272,81 markingsindicatmg the weight connected thereto. The cable is guided through andengaged by an indicating mechanism O G PATENTS 0 APPLICATIONS whichsignals the number of times the cable and the weights suspendedtherefrom have been lifted. 738,579 12/1932 France ..272/8l 18 Claims,16 Drawing Figures ,1? 2 v ,2 a? I 2 1 1 ,/a If f -56 PATENTEDHAR 7 I972sum 1 0F 4 z rroz/vss s.

PATENTEDMAR H912 Y 31547, 209

SHEET 3 [IF 4 INVENTO/E 0 (Ear l0 IRA/1V5 WEIGHT LIF'IING TYPEEXERCISING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present inventionrelates to devices for human physical conditioning and more particularlyto weight lifting devices in which the physical exercise is performed bypulling on a cable for lifting and/or lowering weights.

Weight lifting devices, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,438,627,which is incorporated herein by reference, are well known aids in theconditioning of the musculature of the human body. Generally, suchdevices comprise an upright frame on which a plurality of independentweights are guided for vertical movement. A cable is releasablyconnected with one or more of the plates, is looped over pulleyssupported by the frame and terminates in a handlebar or the like for theapplication of axial forces by a human. The more versatile devices ofthis type provide a carriage that is vertically movable along an uprightmember of the frame and which positions the free end of the cable atdifferent elevations above ground to adapt it for the conditioning ofcertain muscles and/or for use by persons of different sizes.

The vertical readjustment of the carriage requires convenient,quick-acting and positive means for locking the carriage at the desiredposition. Although prior art exercising devices of the type here underconsideration include positioning and locking means, their operation canbe impaired and their engagement with the vertical frame member can belost when the carriage or the member is subjected to shock or vibration.Such a loss of the locking of the carriage can result in injuries to theexercising human from the sudden release of a length of the cable.

Additionally, prior art exercising devices of the above described typeinclude relatively cumbersome means for connecting the weight plates tothe cable. Usually, such connection means comprise pins which areinserted through apertures in the plates and in a cable connectingmember. The insertion of the pin, however, first requires the alignmentof the apertures which is tedious, time-consuming and difficult.Moreover, slight misalignments of the apertures due to inaccuratemanufacture can prevent such an alignment and render the deviceinoperable. Lastly, the pin must protrude beyond the weight plate toenable its grasping. It can accidentally strike persons in the vicinityof the device which can cause a disengagement of the pin and/or caninjure the person.

Some exercises performed on the above-described exercisers require theuse of angularly inclined exercising boards which provide a foot restand are positioned adjacent the upright frame. The exercising persongrasps the handle on the free end of the cable and pulls it towards histrunk while his head extends downward. The board is usually looselyplaced adjacent the frame. The application of large forces often causesand undesired repositioning of the board and thus interrupts theexercising. Moreover, the board position with respect to the verticallymovable carriage on the frame is important and must be accurate; sincethe board and the frame are independent tedious and time-consumingpositioning of the board is necessary which can be relativelyinaccurate.

Thus, prior art weight lifting devices are relatively complicated tooperate and frequently require substantial attention on part of theexercising person to assure the proper mechanical functioning of thevarious operating mechanisms. This, however, distracts fromconcentrating on the exercising.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an exercisingapparatus for lifting weights which are movable along upright members ofa support frame and which are selectively connectable with an axiallymovable cable supported by and guided over the frame. Generallyspeaking, the present invention provides a carriage that is verticallymovable along an upright guide rail supported by the frame and having aplurality of vertically spaced, horizontally oriented apertures forengagement by an axially movable locking member mounted to the carriageand guided in its movement towards and away from the apertures bysuitable housing means. Means biasing the member into engagement withthe apertures and means for disengaging the member from the aperture inopposition to the biasing means are also provided.

The invention further provides means for engaging an end of anexercising board with the carriage by providing the carriage with atrough-shaped, upwardly opening connecting piece engaging and supportingthe board, and means for releasably restraining the board to theconnecting piece to prevent their accidental disengagement. The carriageincludes horizontally disposed flanges having vertically alignedapertures which receive an upright leg of a balancing bar and maintainthe bar in position to provide a secure hold for the exercising person.

The present invention provides means for selectively connecting one moreof the weight plates with a weight engaging member secured to an end ofthe cable. The weight-connecting means generally comprise a verticallyoriented aperture in each weight plate which is defined by asubstantially circularly arcuate portion and a cutout extending radiallyoutwardly from the arcuate portion. The weight plate includes anundercut spaced from a top surface of the plate which communicates withthe cutout, has a radial extent at least about equal to the radialextent of the cutout, and a circumferential extent greater than thecircumferential extent of the cutout. The connecting member includes aredial projection that has a configuration permitting axial passage ofthe projection through the cutout and an angular displacement of theprojection about the center of the arcuate aperture portion into theundercut so that a positioning of the projection in the undercut of aweight plate causes a connection between such weight plate, the memberand the cable. Locking means prevent unintentional rotational movementsof the connecting member about its axis when in a weight-engagingposition to prevent an accidental disengagement of the weight platesfrom the member and possible injuries therefrom.

To enable persons to fully concentrate on exercising the presentinvention also provides means actuated by the cable for counting thenumber of weight lifting strokes and signaling when a predeterminednumber has been completed. The need for keeping count of the strokesduring exercising, or possible health damage from overexercising, arethereby eliminated.

Heretofore experienced shortcomings and inconveniences in theconstruction of weight lifting exercisers are substantially reduced oreliminated by the present invention. More particularly, an accidentaldisengagement of the locking device for the vertically movable carriageis eliminated by providing the axially movable locking pin instead ofthe heretofore common, pivotally mounted locking clamps that can loosenunder shock or vibration. Moreover, exercising boards can now beprecisely positioned and safely secured to the vertically movablecarriage.

Heretofore common difficulties in connecting the desired number ofweight plates to the lifting cable are eliminated by providing the cablewith the above-described connecting member and constructing the weightplates with connection apertures that permit the interengagement of aplate and the member by simply rotating the member. To facilitate theproper positioning of the connecting member and the engagement of thedesired weight plates the member is provided with weight-indicatingmarkings that automatically display the actual connected weight andfurther indicate to the operator the relative position of the connectingmember with respect to the weight plates for rotating the member toengage the desired number of plates.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective sideelevational view of a weight lifting exerciser constructed in accordancewith the present invention and illustrates, in phantom lines, anexercising board connected to a vertically movable carriage of theexerciser;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary side elevational view, partially insection, and is taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary front elevational view, partially in section,and is taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 3 but shows the carriagelocking member in its retracted position;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, partially in section, and is taken online 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, enlarged side elevational view of theconnection between the lifting cable and weight plates and is taken online 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, front elevational view and is taken on line 7-7of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view, partially in section, with parts broken away,and is taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 6 and shows the cable-weight plateconnection in its locked and unlocked (illustrated in phantom lines)position;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view, similar to FIG. 6, but shows theinterlocking engagement of the weight plates and the cable connectingmember while the cable is lifted off the stack of weight plates;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view, partially in section, of the locking mechanismfor the weight plate connecting member and is taken on line 10-10 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view, in section, taken on line 11-11 ofFIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary front elevational view, with parts broken away,of the means for counting the number of cable strokes;

FIG. 13 is a plan view in section and is taken on line 13-of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view, in section, and is taken on line14-14 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary, enlarged front elevational view of audiosignal means incorporated in the stroke counting means; and

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the lower portion of theweight lifting device illustrated in FIG. I and shows the balancing barsecured to the carriage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIG. I, theexercising apparatus 12 of the present invention comprises a base 14which is preferably secured, e.g., bolted to the supporting floor 16, apair of spaced-apart rear vertical posts 18, a forward vertical post 20and a top plate 22 interconnecting the posts to form a rigid uprightframe 24. A carriage 26 is vertically movable along forward post 20 andprovides a guide pulley 28 over which a cable 30 is looped. The cableextends generally upwardly from guide pulley 28, over a pair ofstationary pulleys 32, 33 mounted to top plate 22, and hence downwardlytowards base 14. At the lower end of the cable there is mounted aconnecting member 34 for interconnecting the cable with one or more of aplurality of vertically-stacked weight plates 36 resting on base 14 formovement of the connected plates with the cable in an axial direction ofthe cable whenever an axial cable force is applied to a handle 38secured to a free end of cable 30.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, carriage 26 is defined by a tubularmember 40 placed about forward post 20 which has inner sides 41 spacedfrom the forward post and which, at its ends, mounts low-frictionbearing sleeves 42 for reducing friction and wear as the carriage ismoved up and down the post. A horizontally oriented lock bolt 44 extendsthrough an aperture in the tubular member and past a housing 46 that issecured to the exterior of the tubular member and, with the aperture inthe tubular member, provides guidance for the lock bolt and enablesaxial movements of the bolt towards and away from the forward post forengagement of the bolt with one of a plurality of vertically spacedapertures 48 in post 20.

A helical compression spring 50 is disposed interiorally of housing 46,engages a cross-pin 52 of the lock bolt and an interior end face of thehousing and biases the bolt into its aperture 48 engaging position. Thelock bolt further includes an eyelet 54 or the like to enable itsgrasping and retraction in opposition to the force from compressionspring 50 for disengaging the bolt from an aperture and enable themovement of the carriage along the vertical post.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 3 through 5, housing 46 includes aninwardly extending flange 56 that is spaced from the base of the housingto permit cross-pin 52 to be disposed between the flange and theexterior of tubular member 40 for preventing the unintentionalretraction of the bolt. Flange 56 terminates in a stop 58 and issufficiently spaced apart from a second stop 60 to form a passage 62 andpermit the axial withdrawal of the lock bolt when the cross-pin isaligned with the passage as illustrated in phantom lines in FIG. 5. Inuse, once the lock bolt has been engaged with an aperture 48, it isrotated in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in FIG. 5) into theposition illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5. Conversely, the lock bolt isdisengaged by rotating it in a clockwise direction (as viewed in FIG. 5)into the position illustrated in FIG. 4.

This construction of the carriage, the lock bolt and the housing permitspositive engagement of the positioning apertures 48 by the lock bolteven though the tubular member 40 of the carriage is spaced from thevertical post 20 since the lock bolt moves parallel to the axis of thepositioning aperture and not along a circular path, as has been commonin the past. I-Ieretofore encountered lock bolt misalignments,inaccurate bolt positioning and a resulting general looseness of thecarriage-to-frame connection are eliminated.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, the present invention also providesmeans for connecting an exercising board 62 to carriage 26 for movementof an end of the board with the carriage in a vertical direction tosuitably vary the slope of the board. The lower end of the board restson floor I6 and the upper end, adjacent the carriage, includes a footrest 64 against which an exercising person braces his feet in a headdown position for pulling on handle 38 and cable 30. The upper board endincludes a U-shaped bar 66 which is placed into an upwardly openingtrough 68 that depends from tubular member 40 of the carriage so .thatthe board weight, and the weight of a person thereon, is supported byforward post 20 via trough 68, the tubular member and lock bolt 44.

To prevent the accidental disengagement of bar 66 and trough 68 a pairof laterally spaced latches 70 interconnected by a transverse bar 72 arepivotally mounted to sides of the tubular member with a pair of pivotpins. The latches are defined by a pair of substantially perpendicularforward and aft legs 74 and 75. The transverse bar interconnects the endof aft legs 75 while the forward legs are dimensioned so that their endsare disposed in, or slightly vertically above the open end of the troughwhen the transverse bar gravitationally biases the latch in a clockwisedirection, as viewed in FIG. 2, until the bar engages tubular member 40of the carriage. Thus, the free end of forward legs 74 covers a portionof the open trough side so that when exercising board bar 66 is disposedin the trough it cannot be moved upwardly without first pivoting thelatch in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 2, into theposition illustrated in phantom lines in FIG. 2.

This arrangement is particularly convenient since the exercising boardcan be connected to the carriage by simply dropping bar 66 into trough68 which automatically pivots latch 70 in a counterclockwise direction.Thereafter the weight of transverse bar 72 biases the latch back intoits locking position. For removal of the exercising board from trough 68the transverse bar of the latch is grasped and pivoted in acounterclockwise direction to enable the removal of bar 66 from trough68. Thus, a quick and convenient connection between the carriage and theexercising board is provided which securely and immovably connects thetwo even when substantial forces are applied to the board by anexercising person.

Referring briefly to FIGS. 3 and 16, a carriage 26 includes a pair ofvertically spaced, laterally projecting horizontal flanges 59 and 61which have vertically aligned apertures 63 through which a vertical leg65 of a balancing bar 67 extends. The

balancing bar includes a substantially horizontally disposed, orslightly downwardly sloped, transverse member 69 which is grasped by anexercising person during certain exercises, such as when pulling cable30 with his legs as schematically illustrated in FIG. 16 to provide asecure hold for the person.

The slidable engagement of vertical leg 65 by horizontal flanges 59 and61 enables the use of the bar irrespective of the vertical position ofcarriage 26 over the vertical length of the leg. Thus, the balancing barcan be utilized by persons of different heights as well as for exercisesin which the cable is attached to the person's foot, lower leg or thighwithout the need for time consuming and complicated adjustments orrepositioning of the bar. At the same time, it is virtuallyinstantaneously removed from the exercising device when not needed bysimply withdrawing it from apertures 63.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 6 through 9, the present invention alsoprovides means for conveniently connecting to cable 30 the desirednumber of weight plates 36 to reduce annoying and distracting mechanicaloperations and enable a person to concentrate on his physical exercises.Each weight plate is substantially flat, has a rectangular shape, and atits narrow sides includes grooves or openings 76 which are formed forengaging the plates with rear posts 18 of frame 24 for slidable movementof the plates along the post. Furthermore, the narrow sides of theplates are provided with lowfriction, e.g., plastic covers 78 thatextend into grooves 76 and prevent metal-to-metal contact between theposts and the plates.

Each weight plate has a centrally located aperture 80 that is defined bya circularly arcuate, e.g., semicylindrical wall 82 of a diameterslightly greater than the diameter of a core 84 of connecting member 34,and a radially outwardly extending concentric cutout 86 of a diametersubstantially greater than the diameter of the arcuate aperture wall. Anunderside 88 of each weight plate includes an undercut 90 thatcommunicates with cutout 86, is concentric with the center of arcuatewall 82 and has a radial extent equal to the radial extent of cutout 86.The undercut comprises a pair of opposing voids 92 having the shape of acircle segments which extend over slightly more than 90 from alignmentwith cutout 86 to a stop defined by a downwardly extending wall 94 of apair of opposing segments 96 which protrude past underside 88 and form alowermost I support surface for the weights. The downwardly protrudingsegments include outwardly extending, generally circularly arcuate ringsections 98 which protect the undercut from being viewed from theexterior.

The ends of void 92 are defined by a pair of aligned, upwardly extendinggrooves 100 which nest a cross-pin 102 projecting radially from a lowerend of core 84 and having a length which is less than the diameter ofcutout 86 to enable the axial insertion of the core through aperture 80.When the cross-pin is disposed in undercut 90 the core is rotated 90 ina clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 8, until the cross-pin engagesstop walls 94. Thereafter, the core is raised in an axial directionuntil the cross-pin nests in groove 100 for interconnecting the weightplate, together with all plates resting on top of the engaged plate,with the core and cable 30.

To enable the interconnection of the core and a weight plate the spacingbetween a top surface 104 of the undercut and the upper surface of thenext lower weight plate must be greater than the diameter of cross-pin102 to allow the passage of the pin between the two surfaces duringrotation of the core. In the illustrated embodiment this spacing isobtained by providing a relatively shallow undercut and increasing thespacing between adjacent weight plates by means of plastic covers 78 sothat the total effective spacing between the un.' dercut top surface 104and the top surface of the next lower weight plate exceeds the cross-pindiameter.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 10 and 11, a core-locking mechanism 112 isprovided for preventing accidental pivotal movements of core 84 aboutits axis. The locking mechanism comprises a substantially horizontalplate 114 having the same plan configuration as weight plates 36 andincludes a pair of diametrically opposed downwardly facing undercutsectors 116 which house a cross-pin 118 extending through the core andinto the sectors. One end of the pin is engaged by a tension spring 120which is anchored to plate 114 by a threaded bolt 122 or the like anddisposed in a tangential passage 124 communicating with one of thesectors. The other end of the pin engages a sector defining verticalwall 126 and thus limits the rotational movement (in a counterclockwisedirection as viewed in FIG. 10) induced by the spring.

A bushing 128 is fitted between the core and a bore 130 in plate 114,includes a freely accessible handle 132 disposed on the upper side ofplate 114 and is rigidly secured to the core with cross-pin 118 as shownin FIG. 11. Thus, handle 132 can be rotated in a clockwise direction, asviewed in FIG. 10, in opposition to the force exerted by spring 120until cross-pin 118 arrives in its unlocked position (illustrated inphantom lines in FIG. 10) which is angularly spaced from the lockedposition by about This rotational movement of the handle, the bushingand core 84 rotates cross-pin 102 at the lower end of the core from itslocked to its unlocked position (as illustrated in FIG. 8 in solid andphantom lines, respectively) to engage or release weight plates 36.

Core locking mechanism 112 enables a quick and effortless connection anddisconnection of core 84 with any one of the weight plates 36.Additionally, once connected, spring 120 locks the core in its weightplate engaging position and prevents accidental rotational movement ofthe core which would cause disengagement of the weights, dropping of theweights from substantial heights, and which can result in injuries toinattentive bystanders.

Referring again to FIGS. 6 through 9, to prevent accidental rotationalmovement of core 84 when no core locking mechanism is provided, whenweight plates 36 connected to the core are lowered and rest on base 14of frame 24 (as illustrated in FIG. 7) it is preferred to provide thetop surface of each weight plate with a depressed groove 106 that isaligned with upwardly extending groove when the plates are stacked onthe frame. During nonuse the cross-pin drops into the depressed grooveand is maintained in the correct position in alignment with the upwardlyextending groove 100.

A plurality of weight indicating markings 108 are preferably applied todepressions in the exterior surface of core 84. The depressions arespaced apart a distance equal to the total effective thickness of theweight plates 36 with a lowermost depression 110a being spaced from thecenter of crosspin 102 sufficiently so that when the cross-pin engagesan upwardly extending groove 100 the lower edge of the lowermostdepression 110a is disposed above the top surface of the same weightplate as illustrated in FIG. 9. This arrangement of the weight markingsfacilitates the ease and speed with which a desired number of weightplates are connected with cable 30. Core 84 is simply rotated to aligncross-pin 102 with cutouts 86 and the core is lowered into the stack ofplates until the desired weight marking is just above the top surface ofthe uppermost weight plate. Thereafter, the core is moved downwardly anadditional increment, it is rotated to align the cross-pin with theupwardly extending grooves 100 and axial, upward movement of cable 30engages the necessary number of weight plates which make up the weightindicated by marking 108.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 12 through 15, counting means 134 issecured to forward post 20 for recording the number of completed weightlifting strokes and for signalling when a predetermined number ofstrokes have been made. The counting means comprises a baseplate 136having rearwardly projecting spaced legs 138 which define a channelnesting forward post 20. A set screw 140 firmly secures the base to theforward post. A housing 142 is placed over the base, spaced therefrom bya spacer 144 and connected to the base. The housing face includes asuitable dial for an indicator 146 which is normally at the 12 oclockposition and which can be set by moving it in a clockwise direction forcounting the strokes on cable 30. A cable actuated ratchet mechanism 148is disposed between base 136 and housing 142 and connected to indicator146.

Housing 142 includes upper and lower cutouts 150 through which cablestrand 30a extends and a pair of vertically spaced, pivotally mountedblocks 152 having arcuate surfaces 154 which protrude into the cablepath and engage the vertically oriented cable strand.

Indicator 146 is keyed to a shaft 156 rotatably mounted in base 136 andhousing 142 and retained thereto with suitable snap rings 158. Afloating arm 160 is journaled on shaft 156 for pivotal movementthereabout. The floating arm extends radially away from the shaft andterminates in an arcuate end 161 which is positioned to intercept thepath of the cable strand 30a and thus bias the strand against arcuatesurfaces 154 of blocks 152. A pair of stops such as threaded bolts 166are secured to base 136 and limit the pivotal movement of the floatingarm to a predetermined angle. Presently this angle is selected to be 18so that counting means 134 can record 20 successive cable strokes beforeindicator 146 returns to its neutral position. If desired greater orlesser angularities for increasing or decreasing the number ofrecordable strokes can be selected.

When the exercising person pulls on cable 30 to lift weight plates 36along rear posts 18 of the weight lifting device 12 cable strand 30amoves downwardly past blocks 152 and arcuate end 161 of floating arm160. The blocks are thereby pivoted in a clockwise direction, as viewedin FIG. 12, and the floating arm is pivoted in a counterclockwisedirection until it engages the lower stop bolt 166. The floating armremains in its lowermost position even though cable strand 30a continuesto be pulled downwardly. Next, the exercising person permits the weightplates to return to their bottom position by permitting them to retractcable 30 so that cable strand 30a now moves upwardly. The engagement ofthe arcuate floating arm end 161 by the cable strand now pivots thefloating arm in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 12, until itengages the upper bolt 166 after it moves through an arc of 18. Thefloating arm remains in its uppermost position (illustrated in phantomlines in FIG. 12) even though cable strand 30a continues to moveupwardly. After the weight plates rest on lifting device base 14 theinterengagement between the cable strand 300, blocks 152 and floatingarm 160 continues to maintain the floating arm in its upper position.

An actuator 162 is pivotally mounted to floating arm 160 adjacent thelatters arcuate end 161, has a generally L-shaped configuration andincludes a horizontal leg 164 provided with a counterweight 168 forbiasing the actuator in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG.12. The other leg of the actuator defines a pawl 170 biasedintoengagement with the teeth of a ratchet 172 keyed to shaft 156. Thus,each time cable 30 is released and cable strand 30a and floating arm 160move upwardly ratchet 172, shaft 156 and indicator 146 are rotatedthrough an arc of 18. Downward movement of cable strand 30a causes pawl170 to ride over the ratchet teeth into the lower position illustratedin FIG. 12. To prevent rotation of the ratchet and the indicator whilepawl 170 is disengaged from the ratchet teeth, i.e., while the floatingarm and the pawl move from their uppermost to their lowermost position,a dog 174 is pivotally mounted to base 136 and biased into engagementwith the teeth of ratchet 172 by a leaf spring 176. The tooth engagingdog locks the ratchet against counterclockwise rotation and createssufficient friction to prevent its clockwise rotation under normaloperation of the weight lifting device.

In use, indicator 146 is turned in a clockwise direction, as viewed inFIG. 12, until it points to the desired stroke number on the dial ofhousing 142. Thus, if strokes are desired the indicator is turned to the3 oclock position. Thereafter the person begins to exercise. At the endof each complete exercising cycle, that is at the end of each cablerelease to return the weight plates to base 14 of the weight liftingdevice, indicator 146 is moved l8 in a clockwise direction. After theweight plates have been lifted and released 15 times the in dicatorarrives at its neutral or l2 oclock position indicated in phantom linesin FIG. 12.

To provide an audible signal when the indicator returns to its l2o'clock position and thereby automatically signal to the exercisingperson that he has completed the desired number of strokes a bell 178 isaffixed to base 136. A clapper 180 is pivotally mounted to the base andso positioned that its lower end strikes bell 178 when it is pivoted. Aclapper actuator 182 is connected to a hub 184 of ratchet 172 anddepends radially away therefrom a sufficient distance so that it engagesan end of the clapper as illustrated in FIG. 15. The clapper actuator ispositioned so that the engaged clapper end is released when indicator146 moves through the last l8-segment before it arrives at its 12 oclockposition. Release of the clapper by the actuator causes the former topivot (as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 15), strike bell 178 and thusemit an audible signal indicating completion of the exercise.

Thus, the present invention provides a weight lifting exerciser whichsubstantially facilitates the ease with which it is operated andadjusted for the performance of different exercises requiring changes inthe amount of weight to be lifted or requiring the repositioning of thefree cable end. Additionally, persons can now fully concentrate on theirphysical exercising instead of observing and controlling the mechanicalfunctioning of the device. By virtue of the present invention theexerciser is furthermore substantially safer than heretofore availableprior art exercisers to practically eliminate the likelihood of amalfunctioning that can cause physical injuries to the exercisingperson.

I claim:

1. An exerciser for lifting weight plates comprising in combination: aplurality of weight plates, an upright post having a plurality of spacedpositioning apertures, carriage means movable on the post, a movablelocking member for locking the carriage means in a desired position,means connected to the carriage means or guiding the locking member intoengagement with the carriage means and the post means biasing the memberinto post-engaging position, the cable being guided over the post andaround the carriage means for vertically positioning the free cable endone or more weights positioned in a vertically stacked arrangement to beengaged by a quick release means, a quick-release means for selectivelyconnecting and disconnecting one or more of the weights from the firstcable end, said quick-release means comprising a weight-engaging memberfixedly connected to the first cable end, each of said weight having acentrally located aperture through which the weight-engaging membertelescopes, the cutout having maximum and minimum transverse dimensionsperpendicular to the axis of the cutout, said cutout extending througheach weight, each weight further including an undercut concentric withthe cutout and having a transverse dimension perpendicular to the axisof the cutout equal to at least the maximum transverse dimension of thecutout and being disposed on a side of the any one of said weightsfacing downwardly, the weight-engaging member including a core having atransverse dimension less than the minimum trans verse dimension of thecutout and having a lateral protrusion fixedly connected to the cord,said lateral protrusion having a cantilevered dimension less than themaximum transverse dimension of the cutout and greater than the minimumtransverse dimension of the cutout, the protrusion having a thicknessless than a depth of the undercut to enable the engagement of any one ofsaid weights in a stack of weights with the protrusion, whereby thetotal weight connected to the first cable end is quickly and readilyadjustable.

2. An exerciser according to claim 1 including a locking meanscomprising means for biasing the cantilevered portion into aweight-engaging position and means for moving the cantilevered portionin a weight-disengaging position in-opposition to a biasing forceexerted by the biasing means.

3. An exerciser according to claim 1 wherein the carriage means includessubstantially horizontally disposed vertically spaced flange meanshaving vertically aligned apertures for positioning and supporting abalancing bar adjacent the exerciser.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 including an exercising board,including means connected to the carriage means for engaging an end ofsaid exercising board for movement of said board end along the post intoinclined positions and means releasably preventing disengagement of theboard end with the carriage means.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the means for engaging one endof said board, said board-engaging means comprises an upwardly openingtrough-shaped member connected to the carriage means, and wherein themeans preventing disengagement comprises a member covering at least partof an upwardly opening portion of the trough-shaped member, means forbiasing the member into a trough-covering position, and means forselectively retracting the member from the trough-covering position toenable the insertion and the removal of the exercising board from thetrough-shaped member and prevent accidental disengagement of theexercising board while suspended from the trough-shaped member.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 including a balancing bar having atleast one upright member, and wherein the carriage means include meansfor engaging the uprightmember and permitting vertical movements of thecarriage means with respect to the upright member.

7. Apparatus for exercising body musculature by vertically displacing aweight comprising: an upright frame including a support surface, one ormore weight plate vertically positioned on the support surface, each ofsaid weight plate including a substantially centrally positioned cutouthaving a maximum transverse dimension and a minimum transverse dimensionperpendicular to the axis of the cutout, and said cutout extendingthrough the weight plate, each of said plates having undercutsconcentric with the cutout and having a transverse dimension equal to atleast the maximum transverse dimension of the cutout and being disposedon a side of the weight plate facing the support surface, when saidplates are in a stacked position cable means for lifting any number ofsaid weight plates during exercising, a weight-engaging member fixedlyconnected to a free end of the cable means, the weightengaging memberdefining a core with a transverse dimension less than the minimumtransverse dimension of the cutout and having a fixedly connectedcantilevered portion having a length less than the maximum transversedimension of the cutout and greater than the minimum transversedimension of the cutout, the cantilevered portion being verticallyadjustable through a plane of the maximum dimension and also angularlydisplaceable within the undercut said projection being positionedtransverse to the direction of maximum transverse dimension when a plateis being lifted, the undercut having a depth and the protrusion having athickness in a direction perpendicular to the support surface so thatthere remains space between the protrusion and the support surface whenthe protrusion engages the undercut to enable the connecting anddisconnecting of the weight from the weight-engaging member while theweight plate rests on the support surface.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 including a plurality of verticallystacked weight plates, and wherein each plate weighs a predeterminedamount, and including markings applied to the exterior of theweight-engaging member indicating the total weight of plates engaged bythe weight-engaging member when the protrusion is disposed in theundercut of a late.

p 9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the weight plates are ofequal weight and shape, wherein the weight-engaging member has an axiallength exceeding the axial length of the weight plate stack when theweight-engaging member engages the lowermost plate, and wherein themarkings comprise weight-indicating numbers spaced from the cantileveredportion a distance at least about equal to the spacing between a topsurface of the uppermost plate and the undercut of the plate engaged bythe weight-engaging member.

10. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the frame comprises a pair ofspaced apart, vertically disposed post means, wherein the weight platesinclude openings in engagement with the post means for positive guidanceof the plates along the post means, and wherein the weight platesfurther include nonmetallic bearing surfaces in engagement with the postmeans.

11. Apparatus according to claim 7 including means rotatably biasing thecantilevered portion into engagement with. the undercut for releasablyretaining the cantilevered portion in engagement with one of said weightplates to prevent accidental relative angular motions between the memberand the plate and a resulting accidental release of said one of saidweight plates from the cable means.

12. in an exercising apparatus having a cable with a handle for applyingaxial forces to the cable, means for guiding and positioning the cable,a plurality of vertically stacked weight plates, and means forselectively connecting one or more of the weight plates to the cablemeans for vertical movement of the connected weight plates with thecable means and for adjusting the total weight to be lifted, theimprovement comprising: a vertically aligned aperture in each weightplate, the aperture including a substantially circularly arcuate portionand a cutout extending radially outwardly from the arcuate portion, theplates further including undercuts spaced from a top surface of eachweight plate, each of the undercuts having a predetermined minimumheight parallel to the aperture, the undercuts communicating with thecutouts and having their inner most radial extents at least equal to theradial extents of the cutouts and radial extents being greater than theradial extents of the cutouts, a substantially cylindrical connectingmember for attached to an end of the cable, and a radial projectionfixedly attached to and extending from the member, said cutouts beingvertically aligned and having dimensions larger than the projections,said apertures in the plates being dimensioned to telescopically receivethe member, said projection being positioned at the lowermost portion ofan aperture to permit rotation through the cutout until it engages theundercut to lockingly engage the desired plate and thereafter enable thelifting of the plates thereabove.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the undercut extends in acircumferential direction from a common center with the cutout throughsubstantially about and wherein the projection comprises a radiallyoriented pin secured to the member.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 including stop means for limitingthe travel of the cantilevered portion defined by the weight plates andextending from the upper undercut end to about the support surface andsaid cantilevered portion being rotatable into a weight engagingposition.

15. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the cable means guiding andpositioning means comprises an upright post including a plurality ofvertically spaced horizontally disposed positioning apertures, a tubularmember disposed about the post for movement along the post, the tubularmember including means for engaging and guiding the cable means, bearingmeans spacing the tubular member from the post, an axially movable,horizontally disposed lock bolt, means engaging axially spaced points ofthe lock bolt for guiding the bolt in its movement towards and away fromthe post and for positioning the bolt for engagement of the horizontalapertures when at a common elevation therewith, means biasing the bolttowards the post, means for moving the bolt in opposition to the biasingforce away from the post, and means for releasably locking the bolt intoengagement with an aperture in the post to prevent accidental movementsof the tubular member along the post.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15 including means for connecting anend of an exercising board to the tubular member.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the exercising boardconnecting means comprises hook means for supporting the board end, andmeans for releasably retaining the portion of the board engaged by thehook means to the hook means to prevent accidental disengagement of theboard and the tubular member.

18. A weight exercising apparatus comprising a cable having an end forgrasping the cable and applying an axial force thereto, means forguiding and positioning the cable, at least one weight plate, means forconnecting the weight plate to another end of the cable, means forguiding the weight plate in vertical direction from a support surface inan upward direction when an axial force is applied to the cable, andindicator means for indicating the number of reversals in the movementdirection of the cable, the indicator means including a movable means,said movable means having a movable member, said movable member beingfreely pivoted and having a free end portion in frictional engagementwith said cable during both a movement of the cable in one directionduring a pulling action by a user and also in the opposite directionwhen the cable is caused to move under force of a weight plate when saidcable is released by the user, a rotatable indicator secured to arotatable ratchet wheel, and a one-way paw pivotally mounted to themovable means for engaging the ratchet and causing said ratchet to moveduring of the cable under either the force of a weight plate or a forceexerted by a user and thus advancing the ratchet and the indicator inpredetermined increments in response to each weight plate raising andlowering cycle.

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1. An exerciser for lifting weight plates comprising in combination: aplurality of weight plates, an upright post having a plurality of spacedpositioning apertures, carriage means movable on the post, a movablelocking member for locking the carriage means in a desired position,means connected to the carriage means or guiding the locking member intoengagement with the carriage means and the post means biasing the memberinto post-engaging position, the cable being guided over the post andaround the carriage means for vertically positioning the free cable endone or more weights positioned in a vertically stacked arrangement to beengaged by a quick release means, a quickrelease means for selectivelyconnecting and disconnecting one or more of the weights from the firstcable end, said quick-release means comprising a weight-engaging memberfixedly connected to the first cable end, each of said weight having acentrally located aperture through which the weight-engaging membertelescopes, the cutout having maximum and minimum transverse dimensionsperpendicular to the axis of the cutout, said cutout extending througheach weight, each weight further including an undercut concentric withthe cutout and having a transverse dimension perpendicular to the axisof the cutout equal to at least the maximum transverse dimension of thecutout and being disposed on a side of the any one of said weightsfacing downwardly, the weight-engaging member including a core having atransverse dimension less than the minimum transverse dimension of thecutout and having a lateral protrusion fixedly connected to the cord,said lateral protrusion having a cantilevered dimension less than themaximum transverse dimension of the cutout and greater than the minimumtransverse dimension of the cutout, the protrusion having a thicknessless than a depth of the undercut to enable the engagement of any one ofsaid weights in a stack of weights with the protrusion, whereby thetotal weight connected to the first cable end is quickly and readilyadjustable.
 2. An exerciser according to claim 1 including a lockingmeans comprising means for biasing the cantilevered portion into aweight-engaging position and means for moving the cantilevered portionin a weight-disengaging position in opposition to a biasing forceexertEd by the biasing means.
 3. An exerciser according to claim 1wherein the carriage means includes substantially horizontally disposedvertically spaced flange means having vertically aligned apertures forpositioning and supporting a balancing bar adjacent the exerciser. 4.Apparatus according to claim 1 including an exercising board, includingmeans connected to the carriage means for engaging an end of saidexercising board for movement of said board end along the post intoinclined positions and means releasably preventing disengagement of theboard end with the carriage means.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 4wherein the means for engaging one end of said board, saidboard-engaging means comprises an upwardly opening trough-shaped memberconnected to the carriage means, and wherein the means preventingdisengagement comprises a member covering at least part of an upwardlyopening portion of the trough-shaped member, means for biasing themember into a trough-covering position, and means for selectivelyretracting the member from the trough-covering position to enable theinsertion and the removal of the exercising board from the trough-shapedmember and prevent accidental disengagement of the exercising boardwhile suspended from the trough-shaped member.
 6. Apparatus according toclaim 1 including a balancing bar having at least one upright member,and wherein the carriage means include means for engaging the uprightmember and permitting vertical movements of the carriage means withrespect to the upright member.
 7. Apparatus for exercising bodymusculature by vertically displacing a weight comprising: an uprightframe including a support surface, one or more weight plate verticallypositioned on the support surface, each of said weight plate including asubstantially centrally positioned cutout having a maximum transversedimension and a minimum transverse dimension perpendicular to the axisof the cutout, and said cutout extending through the weight plate, eachof said plates having undercuts concentric with the cutout and having atransverse dimension equal to at least the maximum transverse dimensionof the cutout and being disposed on a side of the weight plate facingthe support surface, when said plates are in a stacked position cablemeans for lifting any number of said weight plates during exercising, aweight-engaging member fixedly connected to a free end of the cablemeans, the weight-engaging member defining a core with a transversedimension less than the minimum transverse dimension of the cutout andhaving a fixedly connected cantilevered portion having a length lessthan the maximum transverse dimension of the cutout and greater than theminimum transverse dimension of the cutout, the cantilevered portionbeing vertically adjustable through a plane of the maximum dimension andalso angularly displaceable within the undercut said projection beingpositioned transverse to the direction of maximum transverse dimensionwhen a plate is being lifted, the undercut having a depth and theprotrusion having a thickness in a direction perpendicular to thesupport surface so that there remains space between the protrusion andthe support surface when the protrusion engages the undercut to enablethe connecting and disconnecting of the weight from the weight-engagingmember while the weight plate rests on the support surface.
 8. Apparatusaccording to claim 7 including a plurality of vertically stacked weightplates, and wherein each plate weighs a predetermined amount, andincluding markings applied to the exterior of the weight-engaging memberindicating the total weight of plates engaged by the weight-engagingmember when the protrusion is disposed in the undercut of a plate. 9.Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the weight plates are of equalweight and shape, wherein the weight-engaging member has an axial lengthexceeding the axial length of the weight plate stack when theweight-engaging member engages the lowermost plate, and whereIn themarkings comprise weight-indicating numbers spaced from the cantileveredportion a distance at least about equal to the spacing between a topsurface of the uppermost plate and the undercut of the plate engaged bythe weight-engaging member.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 7 whereinthe frame comprises a pair of spaced apart, vertically disposed postmeans, wherein the weight plates include openings in engagement with thepost means for positive guidance of the plates along the post means, andwherein the weight plates further include nonmetallic bearing surfacesin engagement with the post means.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 7including means rotatably biasing the cantilevered portion intoengagement with the undercut for releasably retaining the cantileveredportion in engagement with one of said weight plates to preventaccidental relative angular motions between the member and the plate anda resulting accidental release of said one of said weight plates fromthe cable means.
 12. In an exercising apparatus having a cable with ahandle for applying axial forces to the cable, means for guiding andpositioning the cable, a plurality of vertically stacked weight plates,and means for selectively connecting one or more of the weight plates tothe cable means for vertical movement of the connected weight plateswith the cable means and for adjusting the total weight to be lifted,the improvement comprising: a vertically aligned aperture in each weightplate, the aperture including a substantially circularly arcuate portionand a cutout extending radially outwardly from the arcuate portion, theplates further including undercuts spaced from a top surface of eachweight plate, each of the undercuts having a predetermined minimumheight parallel to the aperture, the undercuts communicating with thecutouts and having their inner most radial extents at least equal to theradial extents of the cutouts and radial extents being greater than theradial extents of the cutouts, a substantially cylindrical connectingmember for attached to an end of the cable, and a radial projectionfixedly attached to and extending from the member, said cutouts beingvertically aligned and having dimensions larger than the projections,said apertures in the plates being dimensioned to telescopically receivethe member, said projection being positioned at the lowermost portion ofan aperture to permit rotation through the cutout until it engages theundercut to lockingly engage the desired plate and thereafter enable thelifting of the plates thereabove.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 12wherein the undercut extends in a circumferential direction from acommon center with the cutout through substantially about 90*, andwherein the projection comprises a radially oriented pin secured to themember.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 13 including stop means forlimiting the travel of the cantilevered portion defined by the weightplates and extending from the upper undercut end to about the supportsurface and said cantilevered portion being rotatable into a weightengaging position.
 15. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the cablemeans guiding and positioning means comprises an upright post includinga plurality of vertically spaced horizontally disposed positioningapertures, a tubular member disposed about the post for movement alongthe post, the tubular member including means for engaging and guidingthe cable means, bearing means spacing the tubular member from the post,an axially movable, horizontally disposed lock bolt, means engagingaxially spaced points of the lock bolt for guiding the bolt in itsmovement towards and away from the post and for positioning the bolt forengagement of the horizontal apertures when at a common elevationtherewith, means biasing the bolt towards the post, means for moving thebolt in opposition to the biasing force away from the post, and meansfor releasably locking the bolt into engagement with an aperture in thepost to preVent accidental movements of the tubular member along thepost.
 16. Apparatus according to claim 15 including means for connectingan end of an exercising board to the tubular member.
 17. Apparatusaccording to claim 16 wherein the exercising board connecting meanscomprises hook means for supporting the board end, and means forreleasably retaining the portion of the board engaged by the hook meansto the hook means to prevent accidental disengagement of the board andthe tubular member.
 18. A weight exercising apparatus comprising a cablehaving an end for grasping the cable and applying an axial forcethereto, means for guiding and positioning the cable, at least oneweight plate, means for connecting the weight plate to another end ofthe cable, means for guiding the weight plate in vertical direction froma support surface in an upward direction when an axial force is appliedto the cable, and indicator means for indicating the number of reversalsin the movement direction of the cable, the indicator means including amovable means, said movable means having a movable member, said movablemember being freely pivoted and having a free end portion in frictionalengagement with said cable during both a movement of the cable in onedirection during a pulling action by a user and also in the oppositedirection when the cable is caused to move under force of a weight platewhen said cable is released by the user, a rotatable indicator securedto a rotatable ratchet wheel, and a one-way paw pivotally mounted to themovable means for engaging the ratchet and causing said ratchet to moveduring of the cable under either the force of a weight plate or a forceexerted by a user and thus advancing the ratchet and the indicator inpredetermined increments in response to each weight plate raising andlowering cycle.